What Should I Do?

[thinkfloyd14]

First, background on the car: 78 SC stock except for M&K 2in1out, SSI's, Wevo Shifter, Shift Bushings. 169,000 miles never rebuilt.

Last weekend I attended a DE (fast lane) at the Streets of Willow. It was a fairly hot day and I knew I should have let off every now and then, but racing with those celicas was just pure fun. After about the third session on the track the oil temperature got dangerously high so i took it to the pits and let it idle for about 20 minutes till the temp needle looked allright. I was a little low on oil but I didnt check the dipstick (stupid) and added about a half a quart of oil. So then I took it out for another sesh, and by the third lap, I looked out my rearview mirror and white smoke was billowing out of the pipes. I took it to the pits and smoke was still comin out. I though initially that I had added excessive oil which was why the smoke was there but I looked under the car and oil was comin out of the exhasut to header gasket and dripping out the pipe. I let the car rest for a while turned it back on and again with the smoke. It was definitley not driveable and theres no Porsche shops in rosamond that i'm aware of so I towed her home. The cars in my driveway right now with what seems to me is a blown ring or just severely weathered ring. I dont think it could be valve guides, wouldn't it start to detonate? Could it be something else?

My question is if it is an internal problem, should I rebuild considering the expense of already having to drop the engine and open it up. My only upgrades would be higher compression pistons and reground 964 profile cams.

Also, i am not mechanically inclined, and I dont have the tools, room, or time to do it myself so I need a good shop not far away from Downey, CA. I know tre is great but just the towing alone would be expensive for that, is there a good enough shop closer to me?

Thanks, (im sure im forgetting something, ill add later if I remember anything else)

sammy

[thinkfloyd14]

The closest motor shop to me is motor meister, but to hell with that. are there any other shops

[Scott at Pelican Parts]

Don't choose your shop based on proximity. If your engine needs rebuilding, the tow bill to a good shop in LA (like TRE, Otto, Callas, Scott's Independent, etc) is pocket change.

[cbeers]

Get in touch with Mobile Works East, Jimmy Deering.

He just posted in the last couple of days so you can find him easily enough.

He is what you need.


-Chris

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Sorry to hear of your trouble.

here's a high drama solution, that's offered with a little seriousness, a little tongue in cheek:

Buy this car: '80 euro SC, $7k


engine info thread here: Going through the new SC's receipts, wow!


for $7K. Have it shipped to CA for $1K, or fly out and drive it back over the weekend.

You are now $8K down. Invite some Pelican friends over and put the good motor in.

Sell your core for $2K
Sell the 915 for $1K
Part the SC a little (easy stuff like H4s) for another $1K
Sell the SC roller for $3K

You have a great motor for $1K.

[thinkfloyd14]

Originally posted by Shaun 84 Targa
Sorry to hear of your trouble.

here's a high drama solution, that's offered with a little seriousness, a little tongue in cheek:

Buy this car: '80 euro SC, $7k


engine info thread here: Going through the new SC's receipts, wow!


for $7K. Have it shipped to CA for $1K, or fly out and drive it back over the weekend.

You are now $8K down. Invite some Pelican friends over and put the good motor in.

Sell your core for $2K
Sell the 915 for $1K
Part the SC a little (easy stuff like H4s) for another $1K
Sell the SC roller for $3K

You have a great motor for $1K.

this sounds like a good idea, but i want to be sure before i go into something like this

can anyone see any drawbacks regarding this idea?

[VaSteve]

Aren't there multiple stories on here of guys that have overfilled the oil and it smokes like a bastard but is ultimately fine? I'd search those stories out and see if the symptoms are similar.

[Grady Clay]

Sammy,

Slow down. First you need some careful diagnosis.

You should have a reputable shop:
Look in intake to see if oil overflow was the problem (it can take a VERY long time to burn out).
Look under the engine for any signs.
Remove the sparkplugs and inspect.
Perform a cranking compression test.
Perform a cylinder leak test.
Remove the sump plate and inspect the screen.
Cut apart the oil filter and inspect.

Any competent will stop mid-process if something serious is uncovered.

I agree about finding the right shop, not the closest. You can search MM on many forums. I think you will find consistant concerns.

Only with good, trustworthy knowledge can you make an informed decision as to what to do next. At this point, speculation won’t get you anywhere.

Best,
Grady

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally posted by VaSteve
Aren't there multiple stories on here of guys that have overfilled the oil and it smokes like a bastard but is ultimately fine? I'd search those stories out and see if the symptoms are similar.

Steve is right, before doing anything, you need a complete diagnosis done.

[thinkfloyd14]

the oil level is extremely low. and i drove it barely after i filled it with oil.